Local Marines take the lead for Toys for Tots

With Christmas around the corner, the Marine Corps is moving forward with a number of events for Toys for Tots donations and toy drives for the Ridgecrest area.

By Jack Barnwelljbarnwell@ridgecrestca.com

With Christmas around the corner, the Marine Corps is moving forward with a number of events for Toys for Tots donations and toy drives for the Ridgecrest area.Marine Staff Sgt. Brandon Stewart, the Ridgecrest Toys for Tots coordinator, said the area included Ridgecrest, Inyokern, Trona, Randsbug.However, this year the program is expanding to include other communities."This year we're also stretching out into Mojave, California City, Boron and Rosamond," Stewart said.Stewart is taking over as Toys for Tots coordinator after helping out previous longtime coordinators Dan and Ann Ryan for two years.Edwards Air Force Base usually covers those cities, but this year they don't have a Toys For Tots program."This year we're helping them out," Stewart said.Stewart said that China Lake NAWS' Toys for Tots program would be helping out an additional 700 kids in that area."The point is to supplement toys to families in need of holiday toys," he said.The place for parents to sign up in Ridgecrest is the Salvation Army at 151 North Downs Street. Sign-up times are Monday through Thursday from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.Stewart said the Salvation Army would also be doing the Holiday Basket sign-ups at the same time.Stewart said parents needed to bring a picture ID like a driver's license and proof of income or lack of income. Parents also need to bring either their child's social security card, birth certificate or health insurance.The toy give-away is scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 15 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Desert Empire Fair's Mesquite Hall.The Youth Advisory Committee, made up of students from the local schools, have been helping as well. Toy donation boxes are set up at many of the businesses in city, at nearly all the schools and at Kerr McGee Center."These guys are great," Steward said. "They've helped us out a lot already."For more information, contact Staff Sgt. Brandon Stewart at (419) 295-2253 or bstewart0331@gmail.com.Toys for Tots donation events• Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 17 and 18: Toys for Tots standouts to donate toys at Kmart, Walmart and Big Lots from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.• Toyota of Ridgecrest is hosting a Pancake Breakfast Donation Drive on Friday, Nov. 23 from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m.• On Nov. 30 and Dec. 1, Ridgecrest Movie Theater will provide a free large popcorn to anyone who donate an unwrapped new toy .• Dec. 1 and 2 there will be a Santa's Workshop at the Desert Empire Fair's Mesquite Hall beginning at 9 a.m.• On Dec. 7, Pizza Factory will donate 30 percent of all sales when customers bring a Toys for Tots flyer or mention Toys for Tots during a meal order.• There will be Toys for Tots standouts for toy donations at Kmart and Walmart Dec. 7-9 from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.• Desert Valleys Credit Union is hosting Picture with Santa event for families and is asking for $10 donations.Donations can also be sent to 1 Administration Circle, Rdigecrest, CA 93555. Checks can be made out to Toys For Tots. Donations can also be made online at ridgecrest-ca.toysfortots.org.